South Shore (Lane Poole Reserve, Dwellingup)

As many of you will be aware, the 2016 Yarloop Bushfire caused extensive damage to the South Shore facility in the Lane Poole reserve and as a result of the near total loss of the many structures that made up South Shore, a sum or money has been agreed between the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA / formerly the Department of Parks and Wildlife) and their insurance assessors.

WAMBA were approached by DBCA to comment on their plan to take the South Shore insurance proceeds and use them to decommission the South Shore facility and use any remaining funds to support the development of Trails 1 & 2 (black and blue DH trails) in the Murray Valley Precinct. This is in support of the Murray Valley Concept Plan (MVCP), a project that has been running for approximately 4-years and is focused on the development of a trail facility in the Murray Valley region.

WAMBA consequently consulted with the Peel District Mountain Bike Club (PDMBC) and both parties agreed that the insurance proceeds should be used to rebuild the South Shore facility - given its unique status and in consideration of the significant volunteer hours provided largely by a single individual for their development. This decision also considered the ongoing discussions regarding significant funding that would provide monies to support the delivery of the MVCP.

Despite the WAMBA and PDMBC recommendations, DBCA have decided to pursue their original proposal and will not rebuild the South Shore facility, citing the following reasons:

South Shore has been extensively damaged and would require a complete redesign and replacement;

South Shore is only suitable for a smaller component of the overall mountain bike community, being the experienced and advanced riders due to its technical challenge and classifications (black and double black);

The construction of Trails 1 & 2 from the MVCP would provide for a broader suitability for intermediate to advanced riders (provision of blue and black options) sooner;

The construction of Trails 1 & 2 from the MVCP would see the construction of two new dedicated downhill trails (working towards addressing the limited supply of downhill trail identified in the WA MTB Strategy and Perth and Peel MTB Master Plan);

The previous technical trail features/ challenge of South Shore trails may be able to be incorporated into the future design of the black All Mountain trails within the MVCP, when further funding is secured; and

DBCA prefer to consolidate mountain bike trails into the MVCP project area within the Lane Poole Reserve.

If you have queries or comments, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact any of the WAMBA committee members.